MHYFMAMD Ch 22
by rosey“Ah.”
Startled by the voice, she turned her head and saw Dietrich standing there, who she hadn’t noticed arriving. Unlike usual, he was dressed in a light shirt, which caught her attention.
“Did you feel uncomfortable being alone for too long? If so, I apologize.”
“No, it’s not like that…”
Dietrich, who had quickly crossed the room, was now standing in front of her. His indifferent gaze swept over her.
“Your outfit has changed.”
“Th-this…”
“It suits you well.”
Pardon?
Before Tenesia could even respond, Dietrich had already laid her down on the bed.
“!”
Just before her head hit the bed, she felt his hands gently support the back of her head. It was a careful gesture, prepared for the impact, but she had no time to appreciate it.
“I …”
Tenesia struggled to speak, but the sight before her eyes seemed to block her words, and her throat went tight.
‘Has he always been this bold?’
She felt the weight on either side of her head. As if he hadn’t intended to put his weight on her, he stretched out his arm to support his body.
Tenesia stiffened as she felt his knee pressing between her legs.
Usually, he would always ask for her consent, even on agreed-upon days. He would always ask for her opinion.
But today was different. His eager hands untied the laces and parted the gown. A chill passed through her bare skin exposed to the air.
As if he wanted to finish this act quickly, his hands moved recklessly.
It was a duty, an obligatory act, just a means to show to the outside world. Nothing more, nothing less.
Even after knowing this, her heart, which had foolishly fluttered, felt heavy and oppressed.
“Why are you so stiff? Don’t you like the bed?”
“No, no. The bed is soft.”
What am I saying? Tenesia barely suppressed the urge to bite her tongue for her stupid answer.
“I think your body is shaking a bit, though. Is it cold in here?”
A cautious hand brushed against Tenesia’s cheek. She unconsciously brought her face closer to his palm, enjoying the gentle caress of his fingertips.
“…”
Dietrich froze at that moment.
‘Oops.’
Dietrich may have felt repulsed by what she did simply out of longing. Realizing her impulsive behavior, Tenesia regretted her actions.
“I, Margrave Haberfeld…”
“…You keep confusing me.”
“…Me?”
Tenesia’s lips pursed at his sudden words.
“You blur the lines I’ve drawn, as if to say something is wrong.”
Dietrich’s eyes shone brightly in the darkness, even though the only light in the room was a single candle on a small table. His eyes glistened like black obsidian.
“You step over the lines I’ve drawn so carelessly.”
His voice echoed as a shadow fell over his face. For a moment, she thought she saw his expression contort.
“…Why did you leave me?”
‘Did I ever?’
Tenesia was momentarily confused by Dietrich’s words. Then, she belatedly realized what he meant and stammered.
“Well, you sent me a carriage to take me home…”
“I still miss you so much that I could go crazy.”
Huh? The conversation was somehow out of sync and did not match with each other. Tenesia took a closer look at Dietrich and realized the smell of alcohol on his breath.
‘He’s drunk.’
Dietrich, who had never shown weakness to alcohol, was so drunk that he couldn’t even recognize the person in front of him. It was clear even without asking what the intention was for drinking.
“Dietrich…”
She tried to move, but it was futile. His grip was so tight that her hand wouldn’t budge no matter how much she struggled.
“Why is that? I’ve spent more time alone than with you. This mansion can’t function without you.”
As she listened to Dietrich’s words, a thought suddenly struck Tenesia, leaving her breathless.
Why didn’t she think of that? That there might be someone else he was seeing, someone other than his wife.
She struggled to break free from his grasp, overwhelmed by the realization that she might have blocked his path with her selfishness.
“I, that person…”
“How can I get you back? What do I have to do to…”
Her movements, struggling to escape the desperate voice, gradually stopped. Even if he was drunk and speechless, the emotions he was expressing seemed sincere.
“Dietrich… … .”
The lamenting voice made even her faint. His frowning eyebrows clearly expressed his pain.
She realized that there was someone who held such a significant place in his heart, someone who had left a large piece of him missing.
As their eyes met, Dietrich whispered in her ear, his voice fading.
“I need you, Grace…”
Tenesia’s eyes widened in shock.